San Diego waives fees for storm-related reconstruction permits

California Construction News staff writer

San Diego city council has approved a proposal to waive fees for building and demolition permits for damage related to a Jan. 22 storm and designate these reconstruction permits as a high priority for review and approval.

“The city has the back of the residents who suffered major damage in the disastrous storm, and we’re bringing every resource to bear to ease their burden,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “Lowering the costs of rebuilding is just one of the many ways residents have told us we can help them recover and rebuild their lives, and these fee waivers can save them thousands of dollars.”

An estimated 1,000 San Diego residents suffered damage to homes, businesses and personal property in the Jan. 22 storm, primarily in the communities of Mountain View, Encanto, Mount Hope, Shelltown, Southcrest and Rolando.

The savings from the fee waiver, which will cover reconstruction or repair of structures the same size as the one that was damaged, is projected to save residents approximately $2.41 million in total.  Any residents who may have already paid building or demolition permit fees to the City will be eligible for reimbursement.

Today’s action also established a Debris Assistance Program, which would allow for debris-management services at no cost to residents in the impacted communities. This will help provide for the collection, handling, and proper processing, recycling and/or disposal of demolition waste generated by storm victims.

This City program, which would be coordinated through the Environmental Services Department, would provide a container or dumpster to be delivered at addresses within the impacted areas for proper handling, recycling and/or disposal of demolition waste.